Koushik Mukherjee

• Accountable for the scientific & technical quality and results liability of the Personal care, Agriculture & Process Industry Segments Managing technology from molecular level to tech transfer.
• Develop research center by exploring opportunities in the group by proposing viable projects that can cater to the region / globally and are aligned with GBU / Platform / long term strategy.
• Ensure infrastructure upgradation, people development & competencies management to ensure competitiveness and creditable work culture at the center.
• Ensure focus on sustainability both related to chemistries & operations, in alignment with groups’ outlook & beyond.
• Focus on efficient methodologies of research including digitization aspects and impactful systems of working.
• Real time focus on keeping up with the R&I trends & deliveries within the organization. Propose new ideas for innovation process and guarantee the competitiveness of new solutions and technologies.
• Responsible for proposing, developing and managing network of academic relationships in India / region to leverage capabilities of India CRD.
• Responsible for lab operations and HSE

• Lead and manage a team of product development and analytical scientists ensuring quality and technical approach in line with company strategy and delivery as per time and budget
• Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
• Oversee strategy for product and process development, raw material supply strategy and proactively drive innovation with new ideas and options made available by new technologies
• Drive the strategic direction of our products & services in personal care, nutraceuticals and naturals considering emerging and legacy products
• Support the business development team with pre-sale activities, contributing to RFPs where appropriate and assisting in large pitches to potential clients where required
• To take control over critical support instances and putting into place the correct escalation and process to manage and resolve issue as soon as possible
• Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.

• Responsible for operational, technical and personnel management related to soaps detergents, disinfectants, cosmetics & baby care product Quality analytical testing (HPLC, GC-MS, GC-MS-MS, RT-PCR, wet lab testing methods, ICPMS etc.) of both regional and multinational clients pan India as per national & international standards
• Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments & consulting services with clients across India and abroad
• Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
• Established performance goals for department and provided methods for reaching milestones.

• Supported clients with business analysis, documentation, process, formulation, &cost strategy to bring products in the market for home & personal care products.
• Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationship for future business opportunities.
• .Mentored an early-stage startup making feminine pads from rice husk.

Leadership & Strategic Development

• Established Novozymes' inaugural Detergent Formulation Center from inception, handling infrastructure setup, process establishment, and acquisition of analytical equipment for soap and detergent R&D.
• Led a 9-member team (Senior Scientists, Scientists, and Research Associates) in shaping and executing R&D strategies.
• Directed team efforts towards successful outcomes in alignment with strategic objectives.

Product Development & Client Relations

• Spearheaded 40 stable formulation prototypes for soap bars and detergents, pivotal in securing renewed partnership agreements.
• Resulted in attracting 5 new customers and doubling old customer retention (2X increase compared to the previous year), leading to a threefold increase in sales volumes.
• Negotiated a successful three-year supply agreement at an increased price, leveraging prototypes in negotiations.

Innovation & Intellectual Property

• Established proof of concept for stable NSD and fatty acid soap bars with enzyme inclusion, resulting in one filed patent.
• Managed consumer studies, demos, and marketing claims to build effective concepts.

Process Enhancement & Sales Optimization

• Introduced Fast Cycle Prototyping, reducing sales pitch duration from 6 months to 2 days, streamlining processes.

Team Mentoring & Technical Support

• Mentored technical support staff in a specific application area, enhancing customer interaction and technical service delivery

• Enhanced customer retention for the Polymer Science Diagnostic center by securing NABL accreditation. Implemented proper analytical tools and methods for polymer analysis (TGA, DSC, UTM parameters, Melt Flow Index), adhering to international standard QMS.
• Collaborated with Battelle (USA) to patent a soy-based polymeric hydrogel using a twin-screw extrusion process for applications in agriculture and diapers. Filed one patent.
• Developed packaging films for Printpack (US-based Company) using polymer compounding and extrusion techniques involving various polymer combinations.
• Worked on creating cost-effective, biocompatible jute-reinforced polypropylene.
• Successfully obtained Accreditation Renewal Certification for overseeing NABL-accredited polymer mechanical testing lab's technical and quality aspects.

• Delivered Cleaning & Whiteness polymer technology for Fabric Care laundry detergent, achieving a potential market impact of $250MM. Collaborated with external suppliers such as BASF and NSCL.
• Implemented breakthrough polymer technology for Fabric Care Single/Easy rinse Big Bet project, collaborating with BASF and Nippon Shokubai, resulting in technology commercialization and securing three granted patents.
• Led product launches across Asia, Africa, and Western Europe for personal cleansing care products (bar soap, liquid hand wash, and body wash), utilizing formulation changes and cost-saving strategies.
• Directed ingredient interaction studies for soap matrix and specialty chemicals, focusing on performance, reformulation, stability, and understanding failure modes.
• Spearheaded a novel "germ count study" for soap bar product claims in Brazil and Asia, facilitating successful product launches.
• Conducted training sessions, workshops, and seminars on Soap Testing, Germ categorization, SOPs, and documentation techniques.
• Established and led the Chemistry Community of Practice and Good Science Program at the Beijing Innovation Centre.